Noel Rockmore (New York/New Orleans, 1928-1995) oil on canvas portrait of a trumpet player from his Preservation Hall series. The unidentified subject is seated with his body facing the viewer but with his head and gaze turned, holding a trumpet at rest in his right hand, against a dark and indistinct background. Signed "Rockmore" upper right and dated 1963 with "N.O." for New Orleans; artist name and other, illegible, inscriptions plus remnants of an old paper label en verso of stretcher. Sight: 38 in. H x 29 1/2 in. W. Frame: 39 in. H x 31 1/2 in. W. Simple black wood frame. Artist biography: The son of New York artists Floyd and Gladys Rockmore Davis, Noel Rockmore was considered a child prodigy. He studied at the Art Students League and was given a show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the age of 24; exhibitions at the Whitney Museum, Pennsylvania Academy and Cleveland Institute of Art followed. Rockmore made his first visit to New Orleans in 1960 and soon relocated there. By 1962, he had begun his project to paint the old Jazz musicians playing at Preservation Hall in the French Quarter, making quick preliminary studies in polymer followed by oils painted during a single sitting in his studio.

1 1/2 in. vertical scratch center left near edge. 2 smaller scratches upper right corner above signature. Frame has scattered spots of wear to black paint. 

The collection of Dr. James and Susan O'Neill, Nashville, TN.